Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have introduced a resolution in the Senate that calls on countries and international organizations holding frozen Russian assets to work with the United States to seize and redirect these funds for Ukraine’s defense.
Kennedy stated, “Let me be clear: President Putin will keep committing crimes against humanity until fighting his war in Ukraine becomes more costly than stopping. This resolution tells our allies and international organizations holding frozen Russian funds to join us—seize those assets, repurpose them for Ukraine’s defenses and make the calculus of aggression intolerable. Hit Putin in his wallet, and you change his behavior.”
Graham added, “I applaud Senator Kennedy and my colleagues for working on this proposal to increase the cost to Putin for continuing the war with Ukraine. The best way to get Putin to the peace table is to hit his wallet, upping the cost of the war to him and his cronies. The $300 billion in frozen Russian assets should be used to help Ukraine deal with Putin’s invasion, at no cost to the American taxpayer. I would urge other allies to partner with the United States in this effort.”
Blumenthal said, “Demanding that seized Russian assets be used to bolster Ukraine’s brave fight is the critically important message of our bipartisan resolution. Hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian accounts can be used by Ukraine for drones, missile defenses, long range artillery, and other arms necessary to defeat Russia’s murderous slaughter. We’re sending a message to Putin that we’ll stand with Ukraine—and seek peace through strength.”
Whitehouse commented, “Vladimir Putin and his corrupt oligarchs must pay for their murderous invasion of a peaceful neighbor, and repurposing their frozen assets for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction is a major leverage point. The Trump administration and our G7 allies should immediately begin seizing these frozen Russian assets and disbursing them to Ukraine on a regular schedule to ramp up economic pressure on Putin’s floundering regime.”
The senators highlighted reports of widespread crimes committed by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. These include attacks on civilians and ambulances using drones, sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war, extrajudicial killings, as well as kidnapping Ukrainian children for re-education or militarization.
Earlier this month, Kennedy delivered a speech on the Senate floor focusing attention on approximately $300 billion in internationally frozen Russian assets that remain unused.
The resolution asserts that Russia bears full financial responsibility for damages caused in Ukraine. It recommends that U.S. executive authorities determine Russia’s actions violate international law and consider seizing these frozen assets as a legitimate means of supporting Ukrainian defense efforts. The measure urges all nations holding such funds to coordinate with the U.S., providing monthly tranches of at least $10 billion until all available assets are transferred.
Additionally, it calls upon U.S. officials—including the President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of War—to prioritize foreign military sales toward countries participating in seizing these assets while deprioritizing sales toward those who do not.
The full text of Kennedy’s resolution is available online.
